As a female Major with 21 years of total service in the National Guard and Army Reserve, I am thoroughly disgusted about the pictures coming from Iraq regarding the treatment of the Iraqi prisoners. I am disgusted and angry at the whiny, cowardly liberals who feel so sorry for the Iraqi prisoners who shoot our soldiers, bomb our convoys, kill and mutilate civilian contractors, blow up innocent Iraqi civilians in marketplaces; and lob mortar rounds at the U.S. bases to kill America’s finest every day. Many of these so-called “Americans” had no sympathy either when military personnel were being killed in attacks overseas when the draft-dodger Clinton was in office and did nothing. Where was the outrage when the USS Cole was attacked? There was no outcry like this. Only when we had an attack on civilians here in the United States was there any response and people have seemingly forgotten about that already. It’s apparent that military lives don’t count to most Americans. They’re not really Americans in my eyes. It’s disgusting. I’d like for them to take their flags and their phony patriotism and move somewhere else – and take that traitorous (expletive deleted by author) Jane Fonda with you, too. France, Germany or Spain would be a nice place for the appeasers and apologists. I do not believe that the prisoners should be murdered, sexually assaulted, tortured or maimed. However, I am quite satisfied that any tactics involved in intimidating or humiliating prisoners to gain information that can stop terrorist acts are quite justified and acceptable.

My response to the Iraqi prisoner “scandal” is this – continue to intimidate and humiliate; take the hoods off the prisoners and send pictures to the media so they can be humiliated in front of the whole world; let the female soldiers run the entire prison system (since the pictures show they’re doing a fine job); and let me hold the leash with Bin Laden on the end of it when we track his cowardly (expletive deleted by author) down. I want the Arab killers to be afraid to face American female soldiers now.

I know it’s a vain hope, but I’d like to see a huge outcry when those soldiers are made PC scapegoats and court-martialed. The person who should suffer the consequences of the problems in Iraq is Donald Rumsfeld and not because of the prison “scandal”. The real scandal is that he has misled everyone on the readiness of the U.S. military since President Bush selected him as Secretary of Defense. I have personally seen the degradation of the military over 21 years and it has now come to a critical point. Rumsfeld continually insisted that the Active Duty military did not need to be increased. However, these major military campaigns have left us with virtually no Reserve forces left to call up. The Reserve units that remain in the U.S. have been cannibalized to fill the units that are gone. We have a hollow force left and the situation is getting worse. Bush should have replaced Rumsfeld several years ago.

There’s one other thing I’d like to emphasize to the majority of people who have never served in the military. Anyone who thinks that George Bush was AWOL because he didn’t attend drills for most of one year of his NG service is a total ignoramus. It is typical in the NG and USAR for soldiers to have periods of time that they are unable to drill due to civilian job or personal conflicts. If not for that, most Reservists would have to get out of the service and there would be no one there to fall back on to protect Americans’ fat, cowardly, lazy behinds. Most of the Reserve retirees have fewer “good” years of service than total years of service. A “good” year means you have enough points from duty to count the year for retirement purposes. I have been in 21 years and have 20 “good” years toward retirement as I missed most of one year due to the birth of my oldest daughter. Again, this is typical. Bush had a “good” year even though he missed drills for several months. Again, people, this is typical. Also, it’s insulting to NG and USAR personnel to call us “draft dodgers” during the Vietnam War. Look at the Vietnam War memorial and you will see thousands of names of NG and USAR personnel who died in Vietnam. NG and USAR personnel have died in every war since each branch of service came into existence. I’m personally insulted that the Vietnam veterans were accused by Bob Kerry of being draft dodgers and that the fine soldiers who served in Vietnam were defamed by him and called murderers and accused of genocide.

By the way, I’m not a Republican. I am a member of the Libertarian Party. I am also an admirer of Jefferson, who gave us all the right to bear arms not for militias, but in order to rebel, if necessary, against a tyrannical government. I also believe it’s past the time for an “American Revolution” in order to change from a government that involuntarily confiscates money in the form of taxes from productive citizens and uses it to buy the votes of non-productive people, thus promoting survival of the least-fit. We also need a change from a government that apologizes to and appeases our enemies to one that takes action, including preemptive, against our enemies - without apology or appeasement. I thought George Bush was on that path, but I’m now reserving judgment. Does anyone else believe it’s time for a massive change in this country? Or are you all too busy wasting your time getting fatter and lazier while watching re-runs of “Friends” and drinking beer? Instead of that, you better starting learning Arabic and reading the Koran because I’m not going to protect you anymore. Personally, I’m going to keep practicing at the range and start buying some leashes.

You make some very good points. I am Republican. I agree with almost everything you said in your post. I come from a family with military personel and they say the same things about what's going on right now. The women should be kicking some more (expletive). We all should be kicking more. I don't understand why there is an outrage over these stupid abuse pics of the Iraqis and there wasn't a peep from people when our citizens were killed burned and hung from a bridge and dismembered and dragged through the streets of their (expletive) hole towns. The man who was killed on video; we don't need anymore of those either. Bin Laden is hiding in them mountains near Pakistan. I say we build 'em a new reservior and level that land out just a little bit. Drop some bombs and bring in the tractors. I'm sick of all these people who complain about the free country they live in and complain about the people who fight for their right to be free. Those people (as you have said) should move and take Miz Fonda with them. France would like 'em nice.

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Vast Right Wing Conspiracy: Lifetime Member

Does anyone know how good the bounty for forum trolls are thease days?

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Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he doesn't become a monster.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Too many times do I hear from Service people that the American public does not appreciate the sacrifices they make to guard our nation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and every other service person fro what you have given up or had to endure because of these insurgent moronic countries. I did not want our service people to go over there simply because I knew our moronic population would not be able to handle what needed and still needs to be done. People are quick to go to war and send someone else to do their dirty work but when the reality of War sets in they cannot handle it. I would like to thank every Veteran and every service person for what they have done.



"Have you thanked a Vet Today"

Gigal83:

I agree with absolutely everything you have written. I have one grandfather who was born in Italy, & during WW2 was in the Italian navy. He 'jumped ship', abandoning his homeland to come to America so as not to fight against America, and for a free life away from communism. My other grandfather fought proudly in the army during WW2, surviving 7 beach landings in Japan. My father & uncle both fought in the Vietnam War. My ex-husband had been in the Army National Guard. And I myself one literally 2 weeks away from shipping out for a tour of duty with the AFNG but I ended up getting very sick & couldn't go.

So, as you see, I came from a proud & brave military family.

I wish to God these bleeding hearts would have their hearts bleed for the right people! Their hearts are so twisted that they forgot what pride & love for one's country truly is all about.

My sister worked in the WTC, by sheer blessing, she had been late that day so she was not trapped inside Tower 2 when those animals destroyed them. She could have so easily dies, as a cousin of a very close friend of my husband's had.

So, I thank you for doing you best to exterminate any more terrorist threats to our country. If that means taking down each Arab nation one by one, since they are the ones that breed those monster, then so be it.

This loyal American will be cheering you guys on every step of the way.

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Be Alert: The world needs more Lerts

First of all, the issue is not "liberals feeling sorry for Iraqi prisoners," the issue is that these images are now the face of our mission in Iraq. As a major you certainly must understand the concept of winning battles but losing the war. We have just given Al Qaeda 20yrs worth of recruiting poster images, and that's nothing to rejoice over. "Better Than Saddam" isn't really the message that we want to send to the world. Perception is just as important as military victory in a cultural war, which is what this is.

I have no idea what the reference to Jane Fonda is about, but she is a 67yr old woman that hasn't had anything political to say in around 25yrs. What bearing what she did 35yrs ago has on this topic escapes me entirely.

You joined the military in order to defend the US and it's freedoms, and yet you would like to see those that exercise their freedom of speech to disagree with policy to move elsewhere. Interesting logic.

You then go on to disagree with the Secretary of Defense, and indicate that "Bush should have replaced Rumsfeld several years ago." He's only been Secretary for a bit more than 3yrs, so we are left wondering what you mean by your statement. I happen to agree he's been a dismal failure, however given his past record that should be no surprise. According to your statement, you indicate that our forces have been on a steady downhill slide for 21yrs, so how do you pin that on Rumsfeld? I've been out of the service for 33yrs, but aside from shear numbers, I feel that today's military is better in every way. But then I'm just laying around drinking beer and watching TV, so what do I know...

Elsewhere you claim to be a libertarian. This is confusing, as you seem to be arguing for a larger military force. Is not the libertarian position that the armed forces should be used for defensive purposes only? What defensive purpose does our deployment in Iraq serve? Which Iraqis attacked the US? Iraq was a target of convenience, nothing more. I'll be astounded if you can make a case consistant with a libertarian position that supports military adventures against targets of convenience.

You seem to have Bob Kerry and John Kerry confused. John Kerry is the presidential candidate FYI. Both are white men, and both are senators, so I guess your confusion is understandable....

You raise the issue of who did what in a war that was over more than 30yrs ago, but you don't score any points with me. I would have gladly traded ground pounder duty with GW's weekend zoomie status. Unfortunately, my daddy couldn't pull the necessary strings, and I had already completed my degree. It was a pointless war about trumped up non-events, and one I would have very much liked to have skipped. The only positive thing I can say is that I'm alive to complain about it. Of course those three go-rounds with radiation and chemo to deal with the recurring lymphoma from agent orange exposure took a bit of my euphoria away. Not service related however according to Uncle Sam and the VA. I guess all that dioxn in my body must have appeared via some kind of magical act.

I agree that a massive change is necessary in our country. However, my concern is that the level and quality of education has gotten to be so dismal that our democratic republic will not be able to function, we will not have a competitive workforce, and we will have a military full of ignorant dimbulbs like your own personal self.

You can practice down that the range and buy all the dogleashes you want. I like to spend time at the range as well, but I don't delude myself into thinking that it's anything more than recreation. I'd be happy to kick your tail on everything from race guns to long range rifles any time you care to stop by in between beers and Friends reruns...

oc

"Jane Fonda"?
"draft-doger Clinton"?
"Bob" Kerrey for POTUS?


jesuchristo!! - y'all remember my post about how the military doesn't attract our "best and brightest", rather the 'dimmer' variety? HEL- LO!!!

She says the miltary has gone downhill for 21 years -and she's been in for 21 years.

There are SO many jokes there, I'm not even gonna get started.
Have at it, boys!